A's trade with Chicago Cubs for Jeff Samardzija gets good reviews

OAKLAND -- The Independence Day trade between the A's and Chicago Cubs received good reviews from scouts at the Coliseum Monday for the A's-Giants game.

"I think it was good on both ends," one American League scout said. "The A's are getting help right now with (Jeff) Samardzija and (Jason) Hammel, and they have Samardzija for next year, too. And the Cubs are getting help for the future.''

Another AL scout said that even though the A's were talking with Tampa Bay about acquiring ace left-hander David Price, he understood why general manager Billy Beane pulled the trigger on this deal, which sent shortstop Addison Russell, outfielder Billy McKinney and pitcher Dan Straily to Chicago.

"Tampa wasn't ready to pull the trigger," he said. "Billy was. And the A's have these guys for almost another full month than if they'd waited until the trade deadline.''

Hammel has spent the bulk of his big-league career pitching in what he (and just about every pitcher) calls "launching pads.''

He's called Coors Field, Wrigley Field and Camden Yards home. So what does he make of his new home -- the pitcher-friendly Coliseum?

"I welcome the challenge," he said, breaking into a wide grin. "I want to bring what I can here and not screw up.''

Hammel joined the A's before Monday's game with the Giants. The A's, who made room for Hammel by designating left-hander Brad Mills for assignment, will have Hammel start against the Giants Wednesday in AT&T Park.

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"It's fun to be thrown right into the fire with the Battle of the Bay," Hammel said. "I have faced the Giants quite a few times."

He has faced the Giants nine times, eight of them starts, and is 0-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 50¿2/3 innings. He's 0-1 in games at AT&T with a 2.35 ERA in 30¿2/3 innings.

As for Mills, the A's have 10 days to trade him, release him or, if he isn't claimed on waivers, sign him to a minor league contract. The A's like Mills and would like to keep him in the organization, but for the moment it's out of their hands.

Brandon Moss was back in the lineup Monday, just a day after he had an MRI on his left ankle. The MRI showed no structural damage and Moss was walking around in a sprightlier manner.

Josh Reddick, who said his knee was feeling better after having had a cortisone shot a month ago, was fired up for batting practice in a way that only players on the disabled list can be.

He was anxious to test the knee, which has put him on the DL twice already this season.

"It feels good,'' Reddick said. "I'm looking forward to this.''

In some minor league moves, the A's claimed outfielder Kenny Wilson from the Blue Jays and optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento. He was hitting .234 and had 22 steals in the Toronto minor league system.

Oakland also added a minor league pitcher, Rodolfo Fernandez, by trading International Slot 57 to Milwaukee to get him. That slot is worth $339,000. This is the second year that baseball has allowed teams to trade portions of their international bonus pool allotments.